Giants interested in Kenneth Walker III in NFL free agency, according to report

The New York Giants made the splashiest and most expensive hire of the NFL offseason when they secured John Harbaugh as their new head coach. Hiring a 63-year-old Super Bowl-winning head coach is a clear sign that New York is attempting to accelerate its rebuild, and the team is already rumored to be making big moves when the legal tampering period of NFL free agency opens on March 9.

The Giants are reportedly interested in Kenneth Walker III, the veteran running back who was just named Super Bowl LV MVP, according to Giants reporter Connor Hughes of SNY. Walker is 25 years old, and has spent his entire pro career in Seattle since being a second-round pick out of Michigan State in the 2022 draft.

The Giants were actually one of the better running teams in the NFL last year despite a 4-13 season. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo was phenomenal until a gnarly injury ended his season in Week 8. Skattebo dislocated his right ankle, fractured his fibula, and ruptured his deltoid ligament, but he should be ready for training camp in July according to reports.

It makes sense to take some pressure off Skattebo in the backfield as he returns from injury, and Walker is one of the top options on the board for running backs in free agency. Walker had 1,027 yards this season on 4.6 yards per carry. He was fantastic in the playoffs, finishing with 116 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries in Seattle’s Divisional Round win over the 49ers. He then earned Super Bowl MVP honors with 135 yards on the ground against the Patriots.

Harbaugh wants a physical team that punches its opponent in the mouth, and the best way to do that while taking pressure off incoming second-year QB Jaxson Dart is to load up in the running game. Walker makes a lot of sense in New York.